MCA launches mentorship programme for primary school learners

By Asa Maina

Nominated Nyeri Member of County Assembly (MCA), Agnes Wachira has launched a mentorship programme for primary school boys and girls.

Speaking to the press during the launch at Ngangarithi primary school in Nyeri town, Wachira said they spoke to girls on menstrual hygiene and also distributed reusable sanitary towels to the girls to make their stay comfortable during the exam period.

Others who benefitted from the programme were boys preparing to go through the circumcision rite of passage after Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).

“We decided to talk to boys because we realized there is a gap in boys’ mentorship. We want to prepare them as they wait to go through the rite of passage. I mobilized the clergy and health professionals who gave them a talk on hygiene and what to expect as they leave primary school life,” she said.

The MCA dished out undergarments, toothpaste and toothbrush to each boy and promised to grant both pupils flour to cater for their lunch during the exam period and disclosed that she is expecting to roll out the programme in other schools.

She appealed to father figures in the society to help in mentoring the boy child who are more prone to indulging in substance and drug abuse, radicalization, depression and dropping out of school.

A clergy member from St Peters ACK Church, James Kariuki said they also prayed with the pupils and encouraged them.

He added that the boy child has been neglected in matters of mentorship and called on the government and the church to empower them as well.